Check out some of the aircraft on display at Classic Flyers

CT-4B Airtrainer

This worthy successor to the Harvard has been in local hands for several years. Wearing the distinctive yellow and black RNZAF colour-scheme of the era plus the serial number NZ1935, this CT4 is as much at home flying in anything but a straight and level altitude as it is teaching the new student “Effects of Controls 1”. This New Zealand-produced aircraft has proved its worth in many countries.
Specifications:
Powerplant - 210-hp Continental IO-360-H 6 cylinder piston engine
Wingspan - 26 ft (7.92m)
Length - 8 ft 6 in (2.59m)
Maximum speed - 180 mph (290 kph)
Maximum range - 808 miles (1300 km)
Service Ceiling - 17,900 ft (5456 m)

MkV. Spitfire (replica)

The Spitfire on display is a full size fibreglass and wood replica Mk. V which was located on a visit to Australia. The aircraft was dismantled, packed into a container and shipped here where it was carefully re-assembled and painted in a nearby hangar. It has a number of genuine Spitfire components incorporated in its construction. It carries the registration CRC representing the initials of the Australian air ace Group Captain Clive (Killer) Caldwell, DSO, DFC & Bar.  The unusual profile of the nose is due to the aircraft being fitted with the Vokes chin-filter that was found to be essential in the Western Desert (North Africa) to prolong engine life by preventing ingestion of sand on the desert airstrips.

North American AT6 Texan (Harvard)

There are times when more than one of these well-known ex-RNZAF trainers graces the skies over Classic Flyer’s home Airport of Tauranga. The fine-pitch crackle of their propellers is their trade-mark sound as the propeller tips break the sound barrier when they are in the air – which they are frequently!
The Harvard on display (NZ1066) owned by a syndicate of pilots, which this aircraft also does scenic flights.
Specifications:
Poweplant - 550 hp Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN-1 9-cylinder radial engine
Length - 28 ft 11 in (8.59 m)
Wingspan - 42 ft (12.81 m)
Maximum speed - 208 mph (335 kph)
Range - 730 miles (1175 km)
Service ceiling - 24,200 ft (7400 m)

Douglas A-4K Skyhawk

The A-4 Skyhawk was designed in the 1950's the Douglas Aircraft Company. It was in continuous production for 25 years and over 2,960 aircraft were built. The Royal New Zealand Airforce received its first batch of Skyhawks in 1970, and the aircraft were finally retired in 2001. During their time in the RNZAF the aircraft received a number of major upgrades to the avionics, wing sparing and landing gear that enabled the aircraft to be the equal of far more modern jet fighters in operation at the time.
Specifications:
Powerplant - Pratt & Whitney J52-P8A turbo jet engine 9300 lbf thrust
Length - 40 ft 3 in (12.22 m)
Wingspan - 26 ft 6 in (8.38 m)
Maximum speed - 672 mph (1083 kph)
Range (without refueling) - 2000 miles (3220 km)
Service ceiling - 42,250 ft (12,880 m) 

Victa Airtourer T-3A

The Victa Airtourer is the precursor to the CT-4 Airtrainer. Originally built in 1960 by Victa in Australia then production moved to New Zealand in 1967 at Aero Engine Services Ltd in Hamilton (later to become Pacific Aerospace Corporation). The modern cantilever low-wing all metal design made the aircraft an ideal replacement for existing trainers such as the Tiger Moth or Chipmunk. ZK-XXI is a popular low cost plane operated in a syndicate by Classic Flyers.
Specifications:
Powerplant - 130 hp Rolls Royce 0-240 6 cylinder engine
Length - 21 ft 6 in (6.55 m)
Wingspan - 26 ft (7.92 m)
Maximum Speed - 142 mph (230 kph)
Range - 710 miles (1140 km)
Service Ceiling - 14,000 ft (4264 m)

Aermacchi MB-339

This aircraft was designed as a military trainer and light attack aircraft for the Italian Airforce in the early 1970's. It was used for a number of years by the Italian aerobatic team the "Freece Tricolori". In 1991 the RNZAF purchased 18 of the model MB-339C for use an advanced pilot trainer and weapons trainer with 14 Squadron based at Ohakea. This example NZ6469 is maintained in full running/taxi order at Classic Flyers.
Specifications:
Powerplant - Roll Royce 680-43 Viper turbojet 4000 lbf
Length - 36 ft (10.97 m)
Wingspan - 35 ft 7 in (10.86 m)
Maximum speed - 558 mph (898 kph)
Range - 1093 miles (1760 km)
Service Ceiling - 48,000 ft (14,630 m)

Boeing Model 75 Stearman

Designated as the PT-17 by the US Army Air Force, it was the most widely used primary pilot trainer in North America during WW2. First flown in 1938, over 8299 were produced by the time production ended in 1945. Post-war many were converted for agricultural tasks and many found themselves in the hands of private pilots. They are still popular with enthusiasts of vintage aircraft and can be found around the world. ZK-XAF can often be seen in the skies over Tauranga giving people the thrill of riding in an open cockpit biplane.
Specifications:
Powerplant - Continental R670 220 hp 7 cylinder radial engine
Length - 24 ft 9 in (7.54 m)
Wingspan - 32 ft 2 in (9.81 m)
Maximum speed - 135 mph (217 kph)
Service Ceiling - 13,200 ft (4024 m)

Pitts Special S-1C

The Pitts Special is a light aerobatic aeroplane designed by Curtiss Pitts and first flew in 1944. It was revolutionary because of its small size, lightweight and short wingspan giving it extreme agility. The Pitts biplanes dominated world aerobatic competition in the 1960's and 1970's and, even today, remain a potent competition aircraft in the lower categories.
Specifications:
Powerplant - 1 × Textron Lycoming AEIO-540-D4A5 flat-six air cooled piston engine, 260 hp (194 kW)
Wingspan - 17 ft 4 in (5.28 m)
Length - 18 ft 9 in (5.71 m)
Maximum speed - 210 mph (338 kph)
Maximum range - 319 miles (513 km)
Service Ceiling - 21,000 ft (6,400 m)

de Havilland DH 114 Heron

This aircraft is a four engine, fixed undercarriage light transport aircraft carrying 14 passengers from the 1950's. Built by the British de Havilland aircraft company. Only 150 were built but they were exported to 30 countries. Four of the first production batch were purchased by National Airways Corporation, one of these (ZK-BBM named "Matapouri") is the sole survivor of these four aircraft and is displayed at Classic Flyers. The aircraft is maintained in engine-running order.
Specifications:
Powerplant - 4 x de Havilland Gypsy Queen 250 hp 6 cylinder inline engines
Length - 48 ft 6 in (14.79 m)
Wingspan - 71 ft 6 in (21.8 m)
Cruise Speed - 183 mph (295 kph)
Range - 915 miles (1473 km)
Service Ceiling - 18,500 ft (5,600 m)

de Havilland DH 112 Venom

The Venom was post war jet fighter developed from the Vampire for the Royal Air Force by the de Havilland aircraft company. THe venom was much faster than the Vampire and had the ability to out climb many later jets such as the Strikemaster and the Skyhawk. ZK-VNM was originally in the Swiss Airforce  before it was brought to New Zealand by John Luft. It was involved in a crash at the Masterton airshow so John donated the aircraft to Classic Flyers.
Specifications:
Powerplant - de Havilland Ghost 103 turbojet engine, 4850 lbf thrust
Length - 31 ft 10 in (9.7 m)
Wingspan - 41 ft 8 in (12.7 m)
Maximum speed - 640 mph (1030 kph)
Range - 1080 miles (1730 km)
Service Ceiling - 39,400 ft (12,000 m)

North American F-86 Sabre

The Sabre built by North American Aviation was the first swept wing jet fighter operated by the US Air Force. It flew in combat against Russian MiG-15 fighters during the Korean War. Over 7,800 were produced in America. During the cold war the aircraft was operated by many NATO and Western countries including Australia. Our aircraft is painted to represent a Korean War ACE - Captain Joseph McConnell - with 16 MiG kills to his name.
Specifications:
Powerplant - General Electric J47-GE-27 turbojet, 5,910 lbf (26.3 kN)
Length - 37 ft 1 in (11.4 m)
Wingspan - 37 ft 0 in (11.3 m)
Maximum speed - 687 mph (1106 kph)
Range - 1525 miles (2454 km)
Service Ceiling - 49,600 ft (15,100 m)

Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina (fuselage)

The Catalina flying boat (or amphibian) was built during WWII and used for search & rescue, convoy escort, anti-submarine and long range transport roles. Postwar, it also enjoyed a long career as a water bomber in aerial fire fighting. This Catalina hull was recovered from a dump at Ardmore Airport as a stripped out shell. It has been restored to represented what the interior looked like in WWII.
Specifications:
Powerplant - 2 × Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92 Twin Wasp radial engines, 1,200 hp (895 kW) each
Length - 63 ft 10 in (19.46 m)
Wingspan - 104 ft 0 in (31.7 m)
Maximum speed - 196 mph (314 kph)
Range - 2520 miles (4030 km)
Service Ceiling - 15,800 ft (4,000 m)

Grumman TBF-1C Avenger

The Avenger is a torpedo bomber built during WWII by Grumman Aviation and entered US service in 1942. It was used in many pivotal sea battles in the pacific during the war. The Avenger in display (NZ2505) was the first Avenger to arrive in NZ in 1943 and flew with RNZAF 30 Sqn. It was retired in 1959 and for many years was stored at at various location until it arrived at Gisborne Aviation Preservation Society. It has been loaned to Classic Flyers to allow its restoration to operational static condition.   
Specifications:
Powerplant - 1 × Wright R-2600-20 Twin Cyclone radial engine, 1,900 hp (1,420 kW)
Wingspan - 54 ft 2 in (16.51 m)
Length - 40 ft 11 in (12.48 m)
Maximum speed - 275mph (442 kph)
Maximum range - 1000 miles (1610 km)
Service Ceiling - 30,100 ft (9,170 m)

Curtis Kittyhawk P40-E

The Kittyhawk is a fighter aircraft built during WWII by the Curtiss Aircraft company in the USA (where it was known as the Warhawk). It entered US service in 1938. It was used by a number of other airforces including the Chinese and the Soviet Union. The Kittyhawk flew with RNZAF 15 Sqn in the Pacific theatre of WWII until it was replaced by the F4U Corsair. This aircraft was restored from a wreck that was discovered in the one of the Pacific Islands. It is painted in the colours of RAF Sqn 112 from the Desert War campaign in North Africa.  
Specifications:
Powerplant - 1 × V12 Allison V-710-81 liquid cooled engine, 1,360 hp (1,013 kW)
Wingspan - 37 ft 4 in (11.38 m)
Length - 31 ft 6in (9.68 m)
Maximum speed - 270 mph (435 kph)
Maximum range - 240 miles (386 km)
Service Ceiling - 29,000 ft (8,800 m)

Yakovlev Yak 52

The Yak-52 is a pilot training aircraft used by Soviet Bloc Airforces since 1977. Over 1,800 were produced with the majority now operating in western counties including New Zealand  after the dissolution of the Soviet Bloc. The aircraft is very rugged and operates with minimum maintenance. The airframe is stressed to +7g & -5g allowing a full range of aerobatic flying making it popular with both warbird and sport flying pilots. This aircraft (ZK-YAC) is owned by a syndicate of pilots at Classic Flyers.
Specifications:
Powerplant - 1 x Vedeneyev M-14P 9-cylinder radial engine 360 hp (266 Kw)
Wingspan - 30 ft 6 in (9.3 m)
Length - 25 ft 5 in (7.75 m)
Maximum speed - 177 mph (285 kph)
Maximum range - 341 miles (550 km)
Service Ceiling - 13,125 ft (4000 m)

Fletcher FU-24

The Fletcher is a purpose built single-seat agricultural aircraft built in New Zealand from 1954 until 1992. They have also operated as glider tugs. They operated with 18 different power plants fitted to the airframe. The design is still in use over 50 years after it first flew with a total of over 300 being built. The example at Classic Flyers is marked to represent ZK-BDS which was the original prototype FU24. However this aircraft is actually #124 built by Air Parts and originally registered as ZK-CRY. 
Specifications:
Powerplant - 1 x Continental IO520-F air cooled flat 6 piston engine 300 hp 
Wingspan - 42 ft 0 in (12.8 m)
Length - 31 ft 10 in (9.7 m)
Maximum speed - 230 mph (370 kph)
Maximum range - 441 miles (710 km)
Service Ceiling - 17,000 ft (5200 m)

DH Vampire

The de Havilland Vampire is a British jet fighter developed and manufactured by the de Havilland Aircraft Company. It was the second jet fighter to be operated by the RAF, after the Gloster Meteor, and the first to be powered by a signle jet engine.
Work on the Vampire commenced during 1941 in the midst of the Second World War; it was intially intended as an experimental aircraft, albeit one that was suitable for combat, that harnessed the groundbreaking inovation of jet propulsion. Out of the companys design studies, it was quickly decided to settle on a single engine.
Specifications:
Powerplant - 1 x de Havilland Goblin 3 centrifugal turbojet, 3,350 lbf (14.90 kN)
Wingspan - 38 ft (11.58 m)
Length - 30 ft 9 in (9.37 m)
Maximum speed - 548 mph (882 kph)
Maximum range - 1,220mi (1,960 km)
Service Ceiling - 42,800 ft (13,045 m)
 

ULF-1 Ultralight Glider

The ULF-1 is a "foot launched" glider (launched by the pilot running down a hill carrying the glider - like a hang glider). It was made by a local man from plans produced by Dieter Reich of Germany (designed in 1993). The design is very complex and it has been left in  its "un-skinned" state to show of the complex structure. Despite this it is a very light aircraft only 55Kg and is stressed to allow a wing loading of +6g and -4g and a flying speed between 32 - 70 kph.
Its most unusual design aspect is the unconventional use of tennis balls to act as a shock dampener on the landing skid!

Cherokee II Glider

The Cherokee II glider was designed in 1956 by American Stan Hall for home construction. The body and tail units are fabric covering a wooden frame. The wings have plywood leading edges centre box over wooden ribs, all covered in fabric. This example (ZK-GBT) is reputed to by New Zealand's first home built glider built in 1961. It was more recently rescued from destruction by enthusiasts for display to the public as an important piece of gliding history.
Specifications:
Weight (empty) - 325 lb (150 kg)
Wingspan - 40 ft (12.19m)
Wing Area- 125 sq ft (11.6 m2 )
Maximum speed - 110 mph (177 kph)
Maximum Glide Ratio - 23:1 at 46 mph (68 kph)

Schleicher Ka-6CR Glider

This is a single seat high performance sailplane constructed of fibreglass over a wooden framework. This aircraft is one of over 1400 constructed by Schleicher (Germany)  - this one made in 1965.This aircraft crashed in 2007 and was saved from being written off by a team of volunteers (led by a previous owner of the aircraft - Ann Johnson). Ann achieved a number of local and national women's records in this aircraft including a maximum height of 28,000 ft. 
Specifications:
Weight (empty) - 419 lb (190 kg)
Wingspan - 49 ft 2 in (15 m)
Wing Area- 135.5 sq ft (12.4 m2 )
Maximum speed - 124 mph (200 kph)
Maximum Glide Ratio - 32:1 at 50 mph (80 kph)

Slingsby Swallow T-45 Glider

The Slingsby Type 45 Swallow was designed as a club sailplane of reasonable performance and price. It first flew in 1957. One of the most successful of Slingsby's gliders in sales terms, over 100 had been built when production was ended by a 1968 factory fire. The aircraft is wooden frames covered with a mixture of plywood and fabric. It was used by the RAF in the Air Training Corps but most were used by glider clubs throughout the UK and also to some commonwealth countries.
Specifications:
Weight (empty) - 425 lb (193 kg)
Wingspan - 42 ft 10 in (13.05 m)
Wing Area- 145 sq ft (13.55 m2 )
Maximum speed - 125 mph (227 kph)
Maximum Glide Ratio - 26:1 at 49 mph (79.6 kph)

de Havilland DH 104 Devon C.1

The Devon was de Havilland's first post-war production aircraft developed to replace the Dragon Rapide. Over 500 were made between 1946 and 1957. The RNZAF operated 30 examples in the training and communications role. Some of the Devons were released from military service for Civil use as charter aircraft. Our example (NZ1802) was a VIP (6 seat executive version) recovered from a paddock in South Auckland and restored for display in the museum.
Specifications:
Powerplant - 2 x 34o hp DH Gypsy Queen 70-2 piston engines
Wingspan - 57 ft (17.4 m)
Length - 39 ft 3 in (11.96 m)
Maximum speed - 230 mph (370 kph)
Maximum range - 880 miles (1415 km)
Service Ceiling - 21,000 ft (6610 m)

B-17 Fortress

The B-17 fuselage arrived in 2019/2020 in pieces from a movie set.
Our volunteer team put this together and it went up along the back wall, you can walk right through the fuselage and experience what a B-17 use to be like.

The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress is an American four-engined heavy bomber aircraft developed in the 1930s for the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC). A fast and high-flying bomber of its era, the B-17 was used primarily in the European Theater of Operations and dropped more bombs than any other aircraft during World War II. It is the third-most produced bomber of all time, behind the American four-engined Consolidated B-24 Liberator and the German multirole, twin-engined Junkers Ju 88. It was also employed as a transport, antisubmarine aircraft, drone controller, and search-and-rescue aircraft.

Richard Pearse (1877–1953)

Richard Pearse’s first patented invention, dating from 1902, was an ingenious new style of bicycle, bamboo-framed with a vertical-drive pedal action, rod-and-rack gearing system, back-pedal rim-brakes and integral tyre pumps.

Of prophetic design, it closely resembled a modern microlight aircraft in appearance. After considerable taxiing on his farm paddocks Pearse made his first public flight attempt down Main Waitohi Road adjacent to his farm. After a short distance aloft, perhaps 50 yards, he crashed on top of his own gorse fence. No details were recorded, by Pearse or onlookers, of this tentative flight. In two letters, published in 1915 and 1928, the inventor writes of February or March 1904 as the time when he ‘set out to solve the problem of aerial navigation’. He also states that he did not achieve proper flight and did not beat the American brothers Wilbur and Orville Wright, who flew on 17 December 1903. However, a good deal of eyewitness testimony, able to be dated circumstantially, suggests that 31 March 1903 was the likely date of this first flight attempt.

See here the video of the aircraft arrival at Classic Flyers.